Counselor

While counselors in some states may practice with only a bachelor's degree, most often, counselors hold a master's or PhD. Coursework for counselors often includes psychology, sociology, child studies, and statistics.

The state, as well as the specific branch of counseling determines licensing and certification requirements.

School counselors generally must hold a master's degree as well as a State school counseling certification. Depending on the state, a school may also require a teaching certificate as well as some teaching experience.

The vast majority of states require counselors based outside of schools to hold a master's degree and some form of licensure in their particular area of practice. In order to become licensed, one must typically acquire two years of supervised clinical experience and complete a State-recognized exam. In order to maintain a counseling license, it is necessary to update one's education on an annual basis.

Some counselors choose to become certified as well. The National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. grants general practice credentials. Many fields of counseling have their own specific certification processes. While certification is often voluntary and separate from State licensing, it can improve job prospects. Also, certain fields, such as rehabilitation counseling, are required by some states to have certification. Counseling certificates must be updated every five years either by testing or the completion of additional education credits.

In order to advance in the field, some counselors pursue doctoral degrees at some point in their career.

While the job description of a counselor varies greatly across fields, there are many commonalities among them all. Counselors are usually employed to help people overcome life struggles. The role of a counselor is quite similar to that of a psychologist. Counseling, however, tends to focus more on social aspects rather than clinical. Counselors generally spend their time talking with patients, evaluating conditions, and doing research in their field.

School counselors, depending on the grade level, may work with children, teachers, and parents to evaluate the causes of problems in school. School counselors often work in a private office within a school and may spend time in classrooms as well. They evaluate students using interviews, counseling sessions, observations, and assessment tests. School counselors advocate for students and work to facilitate social and academic success.

Vocational or career counselors guide people who need assistance in finding employment. They work to enhance their client's job search skills and may aid in job placement as well.

Rehabilitation counselors work with disabled individuals. They create social, emotional, and practical rehabilitation programs to help their clients find work and lead independent lives. Rehabilitation counselors may work as a team with doctors, family members, psychologists, and occupational therapists.

Mental health counselorsprovide therapy for people suffering from a wide variety of personal problems including stress, grief, and even suicidal thoughts. The fundamental responsibility of the mental health counselor is to provide the patient with the mental and emotional tools to cope with life stressors in a healthy manner. These counselors work directly with other mental health professionals and will refer patients to psychiatrists if medication is necessary.

Substance abuse counselors help people to overcome addictions. These counselors work to give patients the emotional and behavioral means to change their lifestyles. Unlike most other counselors, substance abuse counselors often provide therapy in a group setting.

Marriage and family counselors work to aid families in conflict. They may work with individuals, couples, or families as a whole. Marriage and family counselors help family members to utilize positive communication skills and build trust in each other. Marriage and family counselors may also teach courses or workshops on interpersonal relationships.

Counselors in general typically work a 40 hour week and counsel from private offices in schools, hospitals, private practice offices, or community buildings. Depending on the specialty, counselors may work weekdays, evenings, and or weekends.

In order to be an effective counselor, one must genuinely care about the welfare of their patients. Traits such as empathy and sincerity are good qualities for a counselor to have. Also, counselors must be approachable people who can inspire trust in their clients. It is important that counselors be organized and independent, yet also able to work well on a team. Intuitive and perceptive people may have an advantage in observing things that their patients are reluctant to discuss. Having the ability to detach from ones work is also important for counselors because they often spend their days immersed in the problems of their clients.

The average median annual income for a counselor is between $31,340 and $53,750 depending on the specialty and the employer.

School counselors in elementary and secondary schools tend to earn the highest incomes, followed by college and professional school counselors, marriage and family counselors, substance addiction counselors, and mental health counselors. Vocational and rehabilitation counselors tend to earn lower wages.

Established private and group practices tend to have the highest earnings along with government employees. Hospitals and social service agencies tend to pay lower wages and residential care facilities often pay the least.

Carl Jungwas a psychiatrist from Switzerland who founded analytical psychology. Jung used art, dreams, religion, philosophy, and mythology to understand the human psyche.

Sigmund Freud is perhaps the most famous and influential counselor in history. He began psychoanalysis and made the idea of talk therapy popular. Although many of Freud's theories have been thrown out in recent years, he still remains an extremely influential person in the field of psychology.

The American Psychological Association (APA) is an organization that has the mission of advancing psychology as a science, as a means of promoting human welfare, and by establishing extremely high standards for psychologists. The APA honors certain psychologists every year with its Distinguished Contributions Awards.

The job growth for counselors in general looks to be very promising through 2016. The employment of substance abuse counselors, mental health counselors, rehabilitation counselors, and marriage and family counselors is expected to grow between 23 and 34 percent, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Employment for educational, vocational, and school counselors is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations. While demand for these counselors may be great, state and school budgets may limit the availability of new positions.

The top city for counseling jobs in the United States is Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Chicago, Illinois is a very close second, with Phoenix, Arizona in third place. New York City is the fourth best city for counseling jobs in the United States with Houston, Texas coming in at fifth place.